Jannik Sinner’s fitness coach reveals secret ‘method’ that helps Novak Djokovic find motivation
Novak Djokovic is bidding to win his seventh Miami Open title and has also inched closer to his 100th ATP title.
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Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Jose Moron)
Novak Djokovic has finally got back to winning ways in a tournament he’s playing for the first time since 2019. Djokovic is in Miami where he last clinched a title in 2016, which was also his sixth trophy in the tournament.
Djokovic has already progressed to the fourth round. A fourth-round appearance used to be a normal thing in the Serb’s career. But he will soon turn 38, and it’s age that’s been hampering him from playing to his full potential. Oftentimes, lack of motivation was also considered the reason behind his mediocre performance in recent times.
Amid his Miami Open run, his former coach Marco Panichi revealed how when he was in Djokovic’s entourage from 2017 to 2024, he and other team members would employ various methods to rile up Nole. According to Panichi, who now works with World No.1 Jannik Sinner, anger helps Djokovic produce his best performance.
Djokovic uses his desire to compete as a strength. Nole, metaphorically, needs an enemy to fight against. Whether it’s the crowd or his opponent on the court, he needs that energy boost. In the past, when we saw him too calm, we tried to make him angry. It was a method used to motivate himself before matches. But for other players, sometimes the opposite happens.
Marco Panichi said on Tressessanta podcast (H/T: Ubitennis)
Djokovic has won two consecutive wins for the first time since this year’s Australian Open. He injured his hamstring and called off his semifinal match at Melbourne Park, following which, he suffered two back-to-back defeats in his first matches in Doha and Indian Wells, losing to Matteo Berrettini and Botic van de Zandschulp, respectively.
Grand Slam wins are more important for Novak Djokovic than rankings
Novak Djokovic is not chasing the No.1 ranking goals anymore. Following his win over Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the third round, the 24-time champion made it clear that he is aiming for the Grand Slam titles.
No, it’s not something that matters much. If it comes as a consequence of great results and titles I can achieve in a season, then fantastic, but it’s not my goal. My goal is to be able to play my best tennis in the Grand Slams and the tournaments I participate in. My schedule is reviewed, so obviously I’m not chasing points for the ranking. Nowadays, it is different from what it was a few years ago and during most of my career.
Novak Djokovic said at the press conference
Djokovic was dethroned from the top position last year by Jannik Sinner who hasn’t yet lost it to his rivals. But only time will tell if his three-month doping suspension ruins his dominance as there’s a possibility of him losing his rhythm and suffering from a rough patch following his comeback.
Djokovic currently sits at No.5 in the rankings table. If he wins the Miami Open, he still won’t be able to replace Taylor Fritz from the fourth position.
Novak Djokovic to lock horns with Lorenzo Musetti next
Novak Djokovic is pitted against Lorenzo Musetti for the ninth time. In their previous eight meetings, Djokovic clinched seven wins. The only time the Italian came out on top was in the fourth round of the 2023 Monte Carlo Masters.
Before setting up the clash with Djokovic, Musetti eked out a three-set win over Felix Auger-Aliassime. Musetti hasn’t yet won a title this year and has so far reached two quarterfinals.
Djokovic is searching for his first title of the season and the first tour-level title since the 2023 ATP Finals. At Miami Gardens, the former World No.1 is also bidding to win his career’s 100th ATP trophy. Djokovic last lifted an official title at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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